Blue Eagles, Cards tangle today; Stags get going

ATENEO hopes to make the most out if its size advantage even as Mapua’s star center remains doubtful when they collide in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Hanes Cup today at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Blue Eagles, propped up by Greg Slaughter’s double-double numbers, target a sixth victory against the Cardinals in the Group A match at 12 noon.

“We’ll try our best to at least limit their big men,” said Mapua coach Chito Victolero whose Filipino-Palestinian center Yousef Taha continues to recuperate from a knee injury.

San Sebastian, fresh from a training camp in the United States, debuts against Jose Rizal University at 5:15 p.m., while struggling Group B squads Lyceum and Emilio Aguinaldo College tangle in the opener at 1:45 p.m.

The Eagles, virtually assured of a quarterfinal berth, remain favored with the seven-foot Slaughter leading the Eagles in points (15.8 points per game), rebounds (11 rpg) and blocks (2 bpg).

“We will try to compete in every way we can,” said Victolero after the Cardinals notched their first win in three outings against University of the Philippines, 61-56, on Saturday.

Aside from Slaughter, the UAAP champion Eagles remain a powerhouse with Nico Salva and Kiefer Ravena.

The Bombers, meanwhile, get to test the Stags first after a convincing 83-70 triumph over Lyceum last Friday. With a report from Rodolfo T. Lozada, Contributor